From Simple/House Church Revolution book:
When someone enquired about visiting Mother Teresa to help with her work among the poor of India, she encouraged the person to find their own Calcutta. In other words, each of us must discover who it is that God has put on our heart to love and reach out to. This makes it personal and meaningful.
As we listen to God’s voice, we will begin to sense that we have a particular heart for a particular group, or several groups, of people. Jesus, in his human experience, was called to the people living in Israel. He knew his focus. In the same way, God has given a focus to each of us, and we will find great joy in our love-life towards others if we accept whom we are called to.
The most obvious focus for us may be those we are already living among: our family (church always begins at home), our extended family, our neighbors, our co-workers, and our friends. At the same time, we may have a particular concern for a nearby people group: homeless, youth, prisoners, children, elderly, etc. It may well be that God has put this group on our heart because we are specifically called to them. Finally, we may know the stirring for a people-group that does not live near us, i.e., the unreached of Africa or the inner city poor.
Knowing who we are called to and being willing to position our lives so that we can readily love those whom God has given us to love will allow us to begin expressing the passions and gifts that we were made for.
Comments
6 responses to “Calcuttas Are Everywhere”
Some great thoughts to make me think during time of transition.
This morning I will once again visit Francis House Center and there find my own Calcutta (Kolkata) with His Beloved.
http://www.francishousecenter.org/
I think it’s more likely that economically privileged suburbanites are more in need of being reached out to and loved by the “inner city poor” than the other way around. There are a lot of unspoken assumptions about who is “us” (white, economically advantaged) and who are “those poor people who need our help” (poor people of color.
Thanks so much for your comment, Marta. You make a very good point! We need to be careful about assumptions. At the same time, each of us does have a calling (no matter where we are from economically) to find our place as Jesus’ expression in the world where He calls us to join Him “to bring Good News to the poor… to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free…” And, yes, those oppressed can be among the most economically advantaged. My point is that we are willing to find our place, wherever that is, and join Jesus in His work. I hope that is what came through in the post!
My wife and I just returned from visiting her parents, friends and relatives in Brazil. I feel a special love for these people. I met many new people who are very responsive to hearing the word of God. My wife and I have been married for 18 years she’s s born again believer. She moved here due to the economic crisis in Brazil. Now, after visiting, for the 9th tome, I’m sensing the Holy Spirit leading us to move there. My wife will give in, but, she’d rather not. I would start a home church. Please pray that God’s will would be done. Thank you!
I will surely be praying with you for God’s direction and that you and your wife will have peace, together, in His leading.